2014 Cyclocross Nationals

Owen Wins 2014 U23 National 'Cross Title

Keeps alive incredible streak of championships

Joe Lindsey

(Photo by Cal Giant-Specialized's Logan Owen is fired up to win his ninth consecutive national cyclocross championship, and his first under-23 title. Behind, teammate Yannick Eckmann chases home in second place. (Joe Lindsey))

Consider this: As long as he’s raced, Logan Owen has never not been national cyclocross champion. The young phenom won his first title in the junior men’s 10-12 category back in 2005, and in every edition since he’s won his class. In 2013, he added national road and criterium titles to the haul.

But Owen’s streak of stars-and-stripes jerseys was in jeopardy at the 2014 US National Cyclocross Championships. Now 19, he would race in the under-23 category against deep competition, including his Cal Giant-Specialized teammate and defending national champion Yannick Eckmann.

Instead of taking a back seat, Owen charged ahead, leading the entire race start to finish despite winds gusting to 50mph and a strong challenge from Eckmann, who finished second.

“I’m so happy to win in my first year as a U23,” said Owen at the finish. “I was very confident, but very nervous. I knew anything could happen.”

Despite the gale-force winds, Owen made a strong solo move on the first lap, which he chalked up to course conditions and equipment choices. “I made a good choice to start on (Dugast) Typhoons,” he said of a dry-conditions choice.

Most other competitors started on a mud tread due to long sections of greasy slop, but the entire first half of the course was essentially dry, “which gave me a good edge,” he said. “I was all fresh and I hit it, I saw the gap and I just had to keep going.”

Owen’s domination was also a team affair, as Cal Giant-Specialized claimed four of the top five spots, with Cody Kaiser and Tobin Ortenblad finishing 3rd and 5th.

Owen will take his streak to the World Championships where, last year, he finished fourth in the juniors field despite mechanical issues. He was also fourth in the road race, and in 2014 will race for Axel Merckx’s Bissell development team (formerly Bontrager).

But for now, he was simply savoring what he called one of his hardest and most satisfying victories. “It was so emotional because my grandparents came out, and they’ve never really come out for a national championship before, all the way from Washington,” he said. “That is how I wanted to win a race.”

Owen took advantage of a smart equipment choice and aggressive racing to move clear on the first lap; he led start to finish. (Joe Lindsey)